Four tobacco retailers have had their tobacco retail licenses suspended for selling cigarettes to persons under the Minimum Legal Age (MLA) of 19 years, said the Health Science Authority (HSA) in a media release today. The stores were caught via HSA’s ground surveillance and enforcement activities to deter the illegal sale of tobacco products to the underaged.
The operators were caught selling to underaged individuals for the first time between January and March this year, and their licenses have been suspended for six months. These outlets included Ajmir Store on Woodlands Ave 7, 1588 Le Pte Ltd in Rivervale Crescent, a 7-Eleven branch in Geylang Bahru, and NH Mart Pte Ltd along Hougang Ave 8.
HSA said it “takes a stern approach towards errant retailers” and “will not hesitate to take prosecution actions against them.” It reminded tobacco retail licensees that they were to be responsible for all transactions of tobacco products at their outlets, as well as their employees’ actions. Sellers run the risk of illegal sale if they assess the age of the buyer by mere physical appearance.
The MLA to use, possess, or buy tobacco products has been raised to 19 years since Jan 1 this year, and will be raised again to 20 years from 1 Jan 2020 and 21 years from 1 Jan 2021.
If convicted under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, anyone caught selling tobacco products to underaged persons can be fined up to S$5,000 for the first offence and up to S$10,000 for subsequent offences. The tobacco retail license will also be suspended for six months for the first offence and revoked for the second offence.
But, outlets caught selling tobacco goods to those in school uniform or below 12 years of age will get their license revoked, even if it’s the first offence.
Since 2015, 87 tobacco retail licenses have been suspended and 13 were revoked by HSA.
The updated list of outlets with suspended or revoked licenses can be viewed here.